APUSH - WWI and the 1920s

Mexican Revolution

Fought over a period of almost 10 years form 1910; resulted in ousting of Porfirio Diaz from power; opposition forces led by Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata.. This armed rebellion saw the Mexican people fight for political and social reform.

Lusitania

A British passenger ship that was sunk by a German U-Boat on May 7, 1915. 128 Americans died. The sinking was decisive in turning public favor against Germany and bringing America into WWI.

Sussex Pledge

A promise Germany made to America, after Wilson threatened to sever ties, to stop sinking their neutral ships and passenger vessels without warning. Violated later with the later resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare. The violated of the Sussex Pledge motivated American to join WW1 alongside the allies.

Zimmerman telegram

This was sent by Germans to encourage a Mexican attack against the United States. Intercepted by the US in 1917, motivating America to join WW1 alongside the allies.

American Expeditionary Force

About 2 million Americans went to France as members of this under General Pershing. Included the regular army, the National Guard, and the new larger force of volunteers and draftees and they served as individuals

War Revenue Act

Established very high taxes; taxed the wealthiest Americans as much at 77% of their annual incomes. One of the many ways the government got more money to support the nation and war effort during WW1.

William McAdoo

Secretary of the Treasury and leader of the Railroad Administration. He had the idea for Liberty Bonds; by selling war bonds to Americans he raised more than $20 billion.

Pancho Villa

This military leader dominated Northern Mexico during the Mexican Revolution between 1910 and 1915. His supporters seized hacienda land for distribution to peasants and soldiers. He attacked New Mexico, USA, killed 16 Americans, and burned down an American town. Drew America into the Mexican Revolution

Serbian nationalism

Serbia had long wanted to unite all Serbian people under one flag. It's desire for Bosnia-Herzegovina and a port led to a swell of nationalism perpetuated by the terrorist organization, the Black Hand. Eventually, this culminated in the murder of Archduce Franz Ferdinand, sparking WW1.

Franz Ferdinand

Archduke of Austria Hungary who was assassinated at Sarajevo by a Serbian terrorist group called the Black Hand. His death was the cataylst for World War I.

War Industries Board

Agency established during WWI to increase efficiency. discourage waste in war-related industries, and coordinate the purchase of war supplies. They oversaw the production of all American factories. It determined priorities, allocated raw materials, and fixed prices; it told manufacturers what they could and could not produce.

Bernard Baruch

He headed the War Industries Board which placed the control of industries into the hands of the federal government.

Herbert Hoover

During World War I, Herbert Hoover became a prominent figure for his humanitarian efforts, leading the U.S. Food Administration to ensure food supplies for the war effort and later spearheading relief efforts in war-torn Europe. Later, he became the 31st president of the US in 1929.

National War Labor Board

A board that negotiated labor disputes and gave workers what they wanted to prevent strikes that would disrupt the war effort. The board composed of representatives from business and labor designed to arbitrate disputes between workers and employers.

Committee on Public Information

Government organization that produced propaganda to build support for WW1. It was headed by George Creel. The purpose of this committee was to mobilize people's minds for war. Tried to get the entire U.S. public to support U.S. involvement in WWI. Proved that words were indeed weapons.

Espionage Act

This law, passed after the United States entered WWI in 1917, imposed sentences of up to twenty years on anyone found guilty of aiding the enemy, obstructing recruitment of soldiers, or encouraging disloyalty. It allowed the postmaster general to remove from the mail any materials that incited treason or insurrection. It set heavy fines and long prison terms for antiwar activities.

Sedition Act

A law enacted in 1916 that made it a crime to criticize the government or government officials. Opponents claimed that it violated citizens' rights to freedom of speech and freedom of the press, garenteed by the First Amendment.

Schenk v. US

the Supreme Court established the "clear and present danger" test, ruling that the First Amendment doesn't protect speech that creates an immediate and substantial threat, like urging resistance to the draft during wartime. Essentially, free speech, as promised in the first amendment, is not absolute, espeically during war times.

Eugene Debs

Head of the American Railway Union and director of the Pullman strike; he was imprisoned along with his associates for ignoring a federal court injunction to stop striking. While in prison, he read Socialist literature and emerged as a Socialist leader in America.

The irreconcilables

a group of senators, led by William Borah and Hiram Johnson, that were against the United States joining the League of Nations under any conditions. They were extreme isolationists and were totally against the U.S. joining the League of Nations.

The reservationists

a group of Senators, led by Henry Cabot Lodge, who opposed the Treaty of Versailles, unless specific changes were included.

Henry Cabot Lodge

Conservative senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was a leader in the fight against participation in the League of Nations, and deeply disagreed with the Versailles Treaty.

Wilson's Fourteen Points

This is the plan for post-World War I outlined by President Wilson in 1918. This plan called for self-determination (countries in Africa and Asia govern themselves), freedom of the seas, free trade, end to secret agreements, reduction of arms and a league of nations. Stressed national self-determination and the rights of the small countries.

The war guilt clause

A provision in the Treaty of Versailles by which Germany acknowledged that it alone was responsible for WWI and therefore ordered Germany to pay reparation to Allied powers.

Versailles Conference

The peace conference held in France after WW1 ended in 1919. The main Allied powers met to decide terms of defeat of Central Powers/Germany. The conference was dominated by the Big Four: Wilson (USA), Lloyd George (England), Clemenceau (France), and Orlando (Italy). France wanted to punish Germany while Wilson pushed his 14 points to prevent future war. Wilson succeeding in creating the League of Nations at this conference.

Article 10

Part of the League of Nations constitution that said that if any nation was attacked, the other countries in the treaty would defend them. This article is why the US did not join the League of Nations.

Doughboys

A nickname for the inexperienced but fresh American soldiers new to Europe during WWI.

Gen. "Black Jack" Pershing

He led WWI American Expeditionary Force in Europe. He was the leading general for the Americans.

Demobilization

Act of changing from a war basis to a peace basis including disbanding or discharging troops. This is the process of standing down armed forces from combat-ready status.

Red scare

Intense fear of communism and other politically radical ideas. America had one during the and of WW1, mainly concentrated during 1919-1920 as a result of the success of the Russian Revolution.

Mitchell Palmer

U.S. Attorney General who rounded up thousands of alleged Bolsheviks via anti-radical raids and deportations in the red scare of 1919-1920. He rounded up those who were thought to be un-American and socialistic. He helped to increase the Red Scare

General Intelligence Division

Special division within the Justice Department that eventually became the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This division was ran by J. Edgar Hoover.

J. Edgar Hoover

The director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation who investigated and harassed alleged radicals. This FBI directer urged HUAC to hold public hearings on communist subversion to find communist sympathizers. FBI sent agents to infiltrate groups suspected of subversion and wire tapped telephones.

Adamson Act

This law established an eight-hour day for all employees on trains involved in interstate commerce, with extra pay for overtime. It was the first federal law regulating the hours of workers in private companies, and was upheld by the Supreme Court Wilson v. New. It was enacted to avert a national strike during the war.

Keating-Owen Act

This law prohibited the transportation across state lines of goods produced with child labor and was enacted to fight against the use of child labor.

Nativism

the policy of protecting the interests of native-born or established inhabitants against those of immigrants.

Immigration Quota Acts (1921, 1924)

These laws established quotas or a set number of people allowed to immigrate into the United States each year, and ended the era of relatively unrestricted immigration that had characterized most of U.S. history up until that point. The laws were intentionally biased against new immigrants, and immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe was significantly limited. The law reflected growing nativism in the United States after WW1, which resulted from the First Red Scare and a backlash to the ethnic, religious, and political diversity of new immigration.

Sacco and Vanzetti

Italian radicals who became symbols of the Red Scare of the 1920s as well as the anti-immigrant opinion of Americans at the time. Arrested (1920), tried and executed (1927) for a robbery/murder. They were believed by many to have been innocent but convicted because of their immigrant status and radical political beliefs.

Fundamentalism

Literal interpretation and strict adherence to basic principles of a religion (or a religious branch, denomination, or sect). Conservative belief in the Bible.

Scopes Trial

1925 court case in which Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan debated the issue of teaching evolution in public schools. It was a highly publicized trial caused by John Thomas Scopes violating a Tennessee state law by teaching evolution in high school.

"The Jazz Singer"

The first movie with sound synchronized to the action, this "talkie" was about the life of famous jazz singer: Al Jolson.

Bohemian lifestyle

Artistic and unconventional lifestyle that became popular with artists of the 1920's.

Greenwich Village in the 1920s

In the 1920s, Greenwich Village in Manhattan became a vibrant hub for artists, writers, and bohemians, known for its relaxed atmosphere, inexpensive housing, and a thriving arts scene, attracting those seeking to escape traditional norms. Known for it's bohemian lifestyle, specifically its unconventional and artistic atmosphere, attracting individuals who embraced non-conformity.

"Birth of a Nation"

A dramatic silent film from 1915 about the South during and after the Civil War. It was directed by D. W. Griffith. The film, the first so-called spectacular, is considered highly controversial for its portrayal of African-Americans and glorification of the KKK during Reconstruction. While it was controversial, it was also a highly influential and innovative silent film. It demonstrated the power of film propaganda and helped the revival of the KKK.

Charlie Chaplin

English comedian and film maker that was a popular silent film star. He continued to lengthen the silent film style and offer an alternative to the sound film. Known for his trademark tattered suit, derby hat, and cane, as well as playing the "little tramp" who made audiences laugh with his silent jokes.

Walt Disney

United States film maker who pioneered animated cartoons and created such characters as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. In addition to being a film maker, he was a cartoonist and visionary. He created many amusement theme parks as well.

Ku Klux Klan revived

A new Klan was founded in 1915 and admitted only native-born white Protestants. In 1920, Edward Clarke and Elizabeth Tyler got control of the movement and organized a mass membership drive, leading to a massive spike in KKK membership and activities alike. By 1923, they had 5 million members.

Marcus Garvey

African American leader durin the 1920s who founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and advocated mass migration of African Americans back to Africa. Was deported to Jamaica in 1927. Many poor urban blacks turned to him. He urged black economic cooperation.

Harlem Renaissance

A period in the 1920s when African-American achievements in art and music and literature flourished. This Black literary and artistic movement was centered in Harlem and lasted from the 1920s into the early 1930s. Celebrated and lamented black life in America.

Langston Hughes

A leading poet of the Harlem Renaissance. African American poet who described the rich culture of African American life using rhythms influenced by jazz music. He wrote of African American hope and defiance, as well as the culture of Harlem and also had a major impact on the Harlem Renaissance. He wrote "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" and "My People"

Henry Ford

American businessman, founder of Ford Motor Company, father of modern assembly lines, and inventor credited with 161 patents. This automobile manufacturer pioneered mass production.

Charles Lindberg

United States aviator who in 1927 made the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean, becoming a famous figure in America and abroad.

Pro sports emerge/entertainment heroes: Babe Ruth, Gertrude Ederle, Jack Dempsey, Bobby Jones

The 1920s, often called the "Golden Age of Sports," saw the rise of professional sports, with iconic athletes like Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, and Red Grange emerging and the National Football League (NFL) being formed in 1920. Babe Ruth, a baseball icon, had a huge impact on professional baseball. Baseball's popularity grew with new ballparks, sports pages in newspapers, and radio broadcasts of games. The 1920s were a special era for boxing, with legends like Jack Dempsey making headlines. Jack Dempsey was known as "Manassa Mauler" for his brawler-like fighting style. Sports became a major part of American culture, with stadiums attracting large crowds and sports pages in newspapers. Radio broadcasts of games further increased the popularity of sports.

Frederick Taylor

American mechanical engineer, who wanted to improve industrial efficiency. He is known as the father of scientific management, and was one of the first management consultants.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

A novelist and chronicler of the jazz age, synonymous with with roaring twenties His novel The Great Gatsby is considered a masterpiece about a gangster's pursuit of an unattainable rich girl.

Flappers/speakeasies

Flappers were women of the 1920s who flouted standard conventions of behavior. Speakeasies were secret bars or clubs where people could drink illegally, though they were operated under the benevolent eye of the local police.

Margaret Sanger

United States nurse who campaigned for birth control and planned parenthood during the early 1900's. As a nurse in the poor sections of New York City, she had seen the suffering caused by unwanted pregnancy. Founded the first birth control clinic in the U.S. and the American Birth Control League, which later became Planned Parenthood.

Al Capone

A mob king in Chicago who controlled a large network of speakeasies with enormous profits. His illegal activities convey the failure of prohibition in the twenties and the problems with gangs. He terrorized Chicago during prohibition era until he was arrested for tax evasion in 1931.